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TMD refers to inflammation or malalignment of the joints (TMJ) connecting your jaw to your cheekbone. Temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the “hinges” on either side of your face that connect your jaw to your cheek bones. These joints are unique in their hinging and sliding mobility, allowing your jaw to open, shift left and right, and move forward and backward.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may have TMD:
Our orthodontists specialize in treating jaw pain caused by TMD and TMJ. Schedule a complimentary TMD and TMJ consultation with our expert orthodontists today.
Our orthodontists will assess the severity of your case and design a customized treatment plan that will be the best match to help provide TMD jaw pain relief and improve your quality of life.
Once your custom oral appliance has been refined and fitted to the exact settings that work for you, you’ll experience relief from jaw pain and even relief from other facial pain, headaches, and more.
We are excited to help you achieve relief from jaw pain and obtain the quality of life you deserve!
Many contributing factors can cause inflammation or malalignment of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Stress, arthritis, head trauma, bruxism (teeth clenching), poor genetics, bad posture, and even gum chewing can cause TMD.
There is a connection between TMD, chronic headaches, and ear ringing. Most patients experience significant relief from headaches and ear ringing after proper TMJ treatment, but there is no way to guarantee the complete prevention of these symptoms.
Since temporomandibular inflammation (TMD) has many symptoms that can indicate other health conditions, the only way to diagnose TMD properly is by a thorough exam by your orthodontist. Your orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive oral exam and review your medical history to draw the correct conclusion.
If you are experiencing popping jaw joints, you may have TMD. This symptom alone is not enough to properly diagnose a patient. Many patients experience intermittent clicking in their jaw joints, so popping shouldn’t cause any alarm. The only way to determine if you have TMD is by an oral examination by your dentist. If you’re experiencing other related symptoms, scheduling an oral examination as soon as possible is essential.
We’re committed to finding suitable non-surgical options that work long-term and optimize your jaw joint health. More conservative, non-surgical options have been developed to reduce the pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), alleviate jaw pain, and promote healthy activity. Surgery is often the last line of defense and is rarely needed for TMD.
While TMD is more common among patients in their 20s to 40s, children can develop TMD. Making sure your child regularly goes to biannual dental or orthodontic exams can ensure TMD is diagnosed properly.
Yes, poorly fitted dentures can frequently cause jaw pain and TMD. When patients wear dentures that are too loose, they consistently try to realign them, which results in significant strain on their temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Dentures can also increase chewing times, adding more work and stress to TMJs.
